By Fr. Jon Pedigo
First of all I want to thank Steve Preminger of Santa Clara County Democrats and Bill Roth and Jacquie Heffner of the Catholic Democrats who asked that I offer this brief reflection. It has been an interesting road that has led to this podium.
I would like to share briefly some words in Spanish. [Immigrants and their children and grandchildren especially those from Spanish-speaking countries -have enriched not only our many faith communities, but also our economic and political life. Immigrant families provide a cultural, linguistic and spiritual diversity that strengthens a national tapestry of many colors and fibers. ]
Para nosotros aqui en California pues, en la Area Bahia, la familia inmigrante es un tesoro. Una perla de gran precio, pero no todos aprecian esta perla. Notamos que comnentatores de la media popular tienen sus comentarios, las maldiciones y las mentiras dirijidas a la comunidad inmigrante. Cuando hablo con mis filigreses, ellos me dijeron que la fe es el unico conseulo en tiempos como ahora: La fe auyda la comunidad a enfrentar la injusticia: [Hostilidad de la redadas de ICE, racial profiling en las calles y las escuelas, y la pobreza estos son las plagas contemporarias que afecta la comunidad.] La fe en Dios y la fe en nosotros mismos nos dice que ¡nuestra vida tiene valor! Y por eso tenemos la licencia y obligacion para luchar por la justicia.
Our community looks to you for support. We are praying that your deliberations and caucusing will result in actions of justicia, of justice. We do not pray selfishly for ourselves: we are more ambitious than that in our prayer!
We pray that your actions will create a complete NEW ORDER based in the principle of the common good, not the common greed that has led us to where we are today. Common Greed has created a healthcare and mortgage crisis affecting millions; it systematically dismembers labor unions; and diverts our attention from the war and occupation by single issue politics masquerading behind a mantilla of piety.
I therefore invoke the spirit of the COMMON GOOD to descend upon this powerful assembly of people. Let us conclude this invocation with the words of Cesar Chavez:
Show me the suffering of the most miserable;
So I will know my people's plight.
Free me to pray for others;
For you are present in every person.
Help me take responsibility for my own life;
So that I can be free at last.
Grant me courage to serve others;
For in service there is true life.
Give me honesty and patience
So that I can work with other workers.
Bring forth song and celebration;
So that the Spirit will be alive among us.
Let the Spirit flourish and grow;
So that we will never tire of the struggle.
Let us remember those who have died for justice;
For they have given us life.
Help us love even those who hate us;
So we can change the world.
Amen
Written by Cesar E. Chavez, UFW Founder (1927-1993)
United Farm Workers:
